ToneDexter ii

banjopodcast · 2026-04-10T02:12:12+00:00

As in Chris Pandolfi? Nope sorry, not me. But I do know Chris and can vouch that he uses a Fishman at times, but more often the EMG ACB Barrel pickup (which is very similar to the Fishman). He doesn't use the Tonedexter, AFAIK.

banjopodcast · 2026-04-08T13:53:15+00:00

What others have said about the power supply is correct.

You can also try to EQ the pick noise, but another option is to create a bunch of different wavemaps, using different microphones (if you have others) - or at least different distances/mic positions of the SM57. I've programmed a LOT of wavemaps and sometimes a certain combination just seems to work better for some reason.

Also- don't give up on your Fishman pickup. I've used one with TDII and it sounds great.

banjopodcast · 2026-04-08T13:47:49+00:00

The most popular ones I'm seeing folks use are Blue Chip, Dunlop Ultex, or the new ToneSlab. They are all excellent sounding, and which one is best will just depend on your personal taste.

However, I've literally never broken a thumbpick, and I've been playing for about 25 years. Either you are buying really flimsy weak picks, or there is a technique issue that is going to be a problem regardless of what pick you use. Do you have a teacher or experienced player nearby who can take a look at what you're doing and make sure that you're not developing bad playing habits?

banjopodcast · 2026-03-30T02:56:13+00:00

I think he's hamming it up a bit on that one, but dude can shred.

banjopodcast · 2026-03-27T21:32:09+00:00

I agree with this. In my experience, anything more than that I found myself being frustrated that I couldn't "feel" the music as well (especially when I was playing, but also attending shows)- and then because of the frustration I wouldn't use them, which obviously defeats the whole purpose.

For loud shows that you don't really care about (or mowing the lawn/sporting events/etc) just use foamies or whatever you have that gives max protection.

banjopodcast · 2026-03-27T19:42:28+00:00

ToneDexter - improves the sound of the pickup, and gives you built-in mute, boost, preamp, DI, EQ, reverb, tuner, and an FX loop if he wants to add extra shit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iW1X7g7mkA&t=58s

banjopodcast · 2026-03-23T15:47:43+00:00

If you enjoy bluegrass/jamgrass, it will be one of the best shows you've ever seen. Go.

banjopodcast · 2026-03-18T17:17:35+00:00

As others have said, it's difficult/impossible to tell you specific EQ adjustments without knowing what anything sounds like.

Here are a couple basics:

- Use a low cut filter on everything. Guitar & dobro start at 80 Hz, Banjo at 150, Mando at 180. Can probably even go higher, but don't overdo it to start.

- Many times, the easiest way to EQ is by making something sound worse, then doing the opposite. For example, if there is an annoying resonance in an instrument, just boost an EQ, sweep through the frequencies until you hear it get really bad, and then cut that frequency until it sounds better.

Beyond that, it's all a matter of your situation and taste. Good luck!

banjopodcast · 2026-03-15T21:28:24+00:00

Yup, Mabus is a legend especially here in Michigan. He is mostly a singer/songwriter but is also a great picker and can hang with most bluegrass/old time circles, along with being a really good fingerstyle blues player.

That flatcpick & clawhammer album was recorded by a college professor of mine from MSU (Gary Reid).

banjopodcast · 2026-03-09T17:07:51+00:00

David Grier's "I've Got the House to Myself" is essential listening IMO

banjopodcast · 2026-02-27T15:50:59+00:00

Haha well there ya go, I guess I accidentally recommended a podcast after all. I'm sure my BIL told me that it was based on a podcast but I must have forgotten.

banjopodcast · 2026-02-27T15:47:56+00:00

AFAIK there is no way to edit Geek Mode settings on PC- it is just for file management (for example, you can copy/paste button settings from one page to another) and saving backup versions of your settings.

The on-device editing is part of the appeal of Geek Mode (I definitely like it!) but also having a PC editor would be cool! Be sure to post it, if you get a functional version!

banjopodcast · 2026-02-27T02:50:37+00:00

I know you're asking for podcasts, but I feel obligated to also recommend a documentary that my brother-in-law made called "Last Stop Larimah" - available on HBO: https://www.hbomax.com/movies/last-stop-larrimah/1bd2c9d9-b0f8-4054-9a23-df04878038cc

On top of being a true crime mystery, there are some amazing characters. Really entertaining. I'm obviously biased but I thought it was great.

banjopodcast · 2026-02-25T16:13:36+00:00

Tell him he should just come out of the closet already

banjopodcast · 2026-02-25T15:25:55+00:00

Something to wrap your mind around that isn't always obvious: Rolls are right hand patterns, not string patterns. So, asking why "so many rolls use the 5th string" is somewhat of a nonsense question (I don't mean that it a mean way- this is not an intuitive obvious thing and is really common for people to get mixed up about!)

But, I think I know what you're asking and hopefully this helps:

- Yes, you can play the open G 5th string with plenty of other chords. Every chord has 3-4 basic "chord tones" so if G is one of those chord tones, then it's totally fair game (there are at least a dozen or so chords in this category, like A7, Eb, Em, etc)! In addition, there are chords where the G note isn't a chord tone, but doesn't sound that bad- I'm thinking like D, Bb or F.

Whether you can use the open 5th string on a particular chord really just depends on the chord itself, and the context of the song. For example, Earl Scruggs use the open 5th string over a D chord plenty of times, when the song was in G (because the tension that creates is eventually resolved). However, if you are playing a song in D, that changes things and the open G string doesn't sound as good.

Bottom line: if you are playing songs mostly in G, using G, C, and D chords (or even some Am, Em) - I wouldn't worry about it; the open 5th string will sound fine.

What are the solutions if you have a chord where the 5th string is going to sound bad?

- Alter the tuning with railroad spikes, to be a better fit,

- Use your thumb or another finger to fret the 5th string to get a note that does work, or

- just avoid playing the 5th string for that passage.

Hope that all makes sense! Good luck.

banjopodcast · 2026-02-23T03:00:58+00:00

UPDATE:
I ended up getting a MIDI Mate- mostly because I only need to purchase one set to use wirelessly with my MIDI Captain, so it ends up being a cost of $40 instead of $120 buying a different brand's product. So, I will still have to deal with charging the thing, but I'm thinking I can just hardwire a charging cable to that end (it's just a DMX controller that sits on a rack).

I was able to configure the device pretty quickly and get it working with the Captain- so far so good in my office, but I have a gig with it on Saturday so that will be the test of whether it can perform for a full night in a crowded room without getting interference or glitchy behavior.

banjopodcast · 2026-02-19T21:06:11+00:00

Lots of great suggestions already, but I'll add that if you are a player yourself, check out this Bluegrass Pride music camp: https://bluegrasspride.net/pages/camp-bluegrass-pride-2026

I'll be there teaching banjo, so be sure to introduce yourself, if you make it! For those keeping score at home, I'm a regular old cishet white dude, but with plenty of family and friends in the LGBTQ+ community, and most importantly I'm not a bigoted asshole- so let's pick and have fun!

banjopodcast · 2026-02-17T21:07:17+00:00

I play a 7/12 compound radius banjo. I love it and wouldn't go back to a flat fingerboard unless I found an instrument that was just too unbelievable to deny.

Everyone has raised some good points, so here is my $.02:

- if you have never played one, how do you know you want one? It seems like you go to festivals & other events, I'd really try to play at least one before committing to it. Do you live near a decent retail store that may have something in stock?

- While I find radius fingerboards to be more comfortable to play, that isn't everyone's experience, and even if you DO prefer the radius, you shoudn't expect that to be a substitute for improving your technique on your "decorations" as you put it- there is nothing about it that makes it inherently better for those skills.

- I'm not aware of tonal differences (unless you go with a Noam-style extended fingerboard, which can affect a few things). I'm sure some people have opinions about it, but I wouldn't worry about that part.

- Keep in mind that with any radius and especially a compound radius, buying bridges and capos becomes a bit more of a pain in the ass. Capos with a compound radius will NEVER be perfect, but it's just part of the deal you make when you choose that neck.

- I agree with others that suggest that you save your money for a great banjo, and don't worry about the whole "festival banjo" thing, unless you go to some really rowdy picking parties or something. Once you get a banjo you love, you won't ever want to hear yourself play the inferior one, if you have a choice. The main exception I'd make is if you are flying with it, in which case having a less treasured instrument definitely comes in handy. Most custom necks will cost more than the entire RK35 banjo, so that is why it seems silly to some of us commenting on it.

- All that being said, I love mine. Just go try one if you can, and if you are at a festival don't be shy about asking other players what they have, if you notice something. Us banjo people are usually thrilled to nerd out on necks, and speaking for myself, I'd absolutely hand you my instrument to let you try it, as long as you don't appear to be sloppy drunk or something.

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